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Revisiting the inoculum effect for Streptococcus pyogenes with a hollow fibre infection modelSevere, invasive Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) infections result in greater than 500,000 deaths annually. First line treatment for such infections is benzylpenicillin, often with the addition of clindamycin, but treatment failure can occur with this regimen. This failure has been partially attributed to the inoculum effect, which presents as reduced antibiotic susceptibility during high bacterial density and plateau-phase growth.
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Prospective surveillance of primary healthcare presentations for scabies and bacterial skin infections in Fiji, 2018-2019Scabies, impetigo, and other skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are highly prevalent in many tropical, low-middle income settings, but information regarding their burden of disease is scarce. We conducted surveillance of presentations of scabies and SSTIs, including impetigo, abscesses, cellulitis, and seāvere SSTI, to primary health facilities in Fiji.
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Molecular diagnosis of scabies using a novel probe-based polymerase chain reaction assay targeting high-copy number repetitive sequences in the sarcoptes scabiei genomeThe suboptimal sensitivity and specificity of available diagnostic methods for scabies hampers clinical management, trials of new therapies and epidemiologic studies. Additionally, parasitologic diagnosis by microscopic examination of skin scrapings requires sample collection with a sharp scalpel blade, causing discomfort to patients and difficulty in children. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assays, combined with non-invasive sampling methods, represent an attractive approach.
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Working towards a Group A Streptococcal vaccine: Report of a collaborative Trans-Tasman workshopThis paper is a report on progress towards a joint Australian and New Zealand vaccination program for Group A Streptococcus bacteria, which causes serious...
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Risk factors and comorbidities for invasive pneumococcal disease in Western Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peopleAustralian Aboriginal people have among the highest rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) worldwide. This paper investigates clinical diagnosis, risk...
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Assessing the effect of meningitis prevention and treatment.In high-income countries serious bacterial infections such as meningitis are uncommon, but their severity has led to prompt adoption of vaccines for...
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Invasive Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Children in Tropical Northern AustraliaWe conducted a retrospective review for all cases of S aureus bacteremia and sterile site infections, for children under 15 years, in northern Australia over...
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Characterization of G2P[4] rotavirus strains causing outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the Northern Territory, Australia, in 1999, 2004 and 2009Outbreaks of rotavirus diarrhea cause a large disease burden in the Alice Springs region of the Northern Territory, Australia.
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Predictors of Disease Severity in Children Hospitalized for Pertussis during an EpidemicThis study aimed to determine factors associated with severe pertussis in hospitalized children during an epidemic using a novel pertussis severity scoring...
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Virus infection and allergy in the development of asthma: What is the connection?Information is accumulating which implicates airway inflammation resulting from respiratory viral infections, acting against a background of atopy.